Thomas County cat. [volume] (Colby, Kan.) 1885-1891, 1887-03-03
SiLNEr POWER.
The Subtle Life Which Flows From the
Man Filled With Gods Spirit.

The Subtle Life Which Flows From the
Man Filled With Gods Spirit.
ANY one who carefully notes the
comparative value of lives in a COM
munity, will soon learn that the ele-
ment which counts for the most is that
subtle thing which we call personal in
fluence. One may give much money
to religious and charitable objects; an
other may be an eloquent talker, and
his voice may often be heard at public
meetings; another may be enterprising,
foremost in all progressive movements;
another may BE- scholarly, writer. an
author. an oracle on all questions of
learning; another may represent the
best things in art, in taste. in
whatever is beautiful and re-
fined-yet not one of these
may impress himself on the COM
munity as does some quiet man. with
out either wealth or eloquencc. or pub
lie spirit or scholarship. but who pos
sessas that mysterious, indescribable
power-a beneficent personal infu-
ence. There is something in him more
subtle. than money or speech, or activ-
ity, or beauty-a spiritual force. which
flows out from his life, and touches all
other lives. and strangely affects them.
1t is to him what fragrance is to
flower, what light is to 4 lamp; it is
part of himself. and yet it reaches out
side and beyond himself.
1t is, SO to speak. the projection of
the mans own character, the flowing
out of his own life into other lives; it
is the energy of the mans spirit work
ing. as it were. beyond his body,
and working without hands. In
the good man. it is goodness
goodness dwelling in his soul, and
pouring out like light from the win
dOws Of :; cottage on dark night. In
the Christian, there is more than mere
human goodness; Gods Spirit dwells
in him. Every true Christian is in a
sense new incarnation. Paul said:
'Christ liveth in me-" and he prayed
for others that they might '.be filled
with all the fulness of God" The lamp
that burns in Christians heart is the
fame of the Divine Spirit. and the per-
sonal influence of Christian becomes
spiritual power.
Every good life is constantly scatter
ing these unconscious. unpurposed in
fluences. A mother works hard
all day in her home. keeping her
house in order. preparing comforts
for her family. watching over he
children. She can tell in the evening
Just how many garments she has mend
ed. how many rooms she has swept.
and the entire days history; but all
day long she was patient. gentle. kind.
At every turn she had bright smile
for her children; she had cheering
words and fond attentions for her huS-
band; she had a pleasant welcome for
the friends who called: in all these
things she was unconsciousiy scattering
seeds that will spring up in sweet
flowers i'm Other hearts and lives. Who
in reality the richer and the more eff
fective? Yet the tired woman does not
think of counting the wayside influ-
ences and services at all in her retro
spect of the days work. If she could
do SO. if would greatly cheer her. and
strengthen her for new days life
when it begins.
We do not realize the Importance of
this unconscious part of Our life-minis-
try. In every greeting we give to an
other on the street. in every moments
conversation. in every letter we write.
in every contact with other live. there
Is q subtle influence that goes from us
that often reaches farther. and leaves Il
deeper impression. than the things them
selves that we are doing at the time.
After all. it is life itself. sanctified life.
that is Gods hottest and most effective
ministry in this world-pure. sweet.
patient, earnest, unseltish. loving life
1t is not SO much what we do in this
world as what we are. that tells in
spiritual results and impression. A
good life is like flower. which. though
It neither toll nor spin. Yet ever pours
out a rich perfume. and thus performs
holy ministry.-Dr. j. Il. Miller. IN
Silent Times.